Can-filling machine



Mar 22 192 ch 7 c. H. AYARS CAN FILLING MACHINE s Sheets-She et 1 Filed A rgi 1, 1922 L621, 4 March 22, 1927. c H. AYARS 86 CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed April 1, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 192 March 7 c. H. AYARS CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed April 1, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. AYARS, 0F SALEM, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNQB TO AYARS MACHINE COM- PANY, OF SALEM, NEW JERSEY.

CAN-FILLING MAGHINE.

Application filed April 1,

My invention relates to can filling machines and more particularly to means for insuring complete filling of the cans.

In canning fruits or vegetables of substantial size, such as tomatoes, owing partly to the size, partly to non-uniformity in size and partly to non-uniform density, it often happens that a can receives less than its proper charge.

It is the object of my invention to provide simple and efficient mechanism which will insure complete filling of the cans.

Briefly the invention consists in providing an inclined plane, preferably adjustable, against which the material flowing from the hopper will be pressed as the turret rotates and thereby forced into the measuring receptacles.

I have illustrated only such parts of a can filling machine as are essential to an understanding of my invention.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a can filling machine embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the hopper plate.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the hopper plate,

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are details,

Figure 10 is a sectional developed View taken on the line 1010 of Figure 2,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional, top plan view of the hopper plate, and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 10.

In the drawings, 10 represents parts of the frame of a can filling machine, 11 the turret, 12 the hopper, 13 the plate upon which the hopper is positioned, the plate in the illustration being integral with the hopper, and, 14 an extension from the wall of the hopper. This extension projects from a line a short distance above the base of the hopper, inclines downward and at its outer extremity joins the hopper plate and extends over the path of travel of the measuring receptacles. It will be understood that this extension is in free communication with the outer part of the hopper and serves in some measure as a feed chute. Within the 1922. Serial No. 548,564.

space enclosed by this extension a plate, 15, hereinafter called the adjustable pressure plate, is mounted. One edge of this plate is hinged, at 16, to the hopper plate and the opposite edge is hinged, at 17 or otherwise pivotally connected with an adjusting bar 18 extending within the hopper and carrying at its upper end a lug 19 perforated to loosely receive a cylindrical part 21 of a thumb bolt 20. The bolt is locked against vertical movement relatively to lug 19 by a nut 22 but is free to rotate in the lug. The lower end of the bolt takes through a threaded'perforation in a lug 23 projecting from the hopper. It will be seen that, by turning the thumb bolt, the inner edge of the adjustable pressure plate may be raised or lowered thus changing its angle relatively to the horizontal plane of the measuring receptacles.

In feeding soft fruit it is desirable to have the angle of incline relatively large and in feeding hard fruit to have the angle of incline relatively small.

A fixed pressure plate such as that afforded by the upper wall of the extension 14 functions advantageously with all kinds of material but would function perfectly only with materials having the same general characteristics.

By feeding the fruits or vegetables to the measuring receptacles against the pressure plate they can be delivered to the cans without crushing and the pressure crowds the material into the measuring receptacles so that they are completely filled.

lVhile I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is 2- 1. In a can filling machine, the comb-ination with a turret provided with measuring receptacles; a hopper; an extension leading from the hopper and extending over the path of travel of the measuring receptacles;

and an inclined pressure plate against which the materials are forced by rotation of the turret and thereby forced into the measuring receptacles Without being crushed.

2. In a can filling machine, the combination with a turret provided with measuring receptacles; a hopper; an extension leading from the hopper and extending over the path of travel of the measuring receptacles; and an adjustable pressure plate against which 10 the materials are forced by rotation of the turret and thereby forced into the measuring receptacles Without being crushed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES H. AYARS. 

